Parents should strictly prevent minors from driving

KUCHING, Sept. 17: Parents need to be stricter in ensuring that children under the age of eligibility do not drive or use vehicles, said Minister for Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

He said prevention should start at home because parents are closest to their children, as well as responsible for ensuring their safety and welfare.

"As a ministry that cares for families, I expect parents to be more careful.

"We know they are careful, but it is necessary to be more careful in finding the best way to ensure that children who have not reached the age of driving a car or motorcycle should be stopped", he said.

He said so when asked to review the case of a 14-year-old boy who was involved in an accident after driving, recently. He was found at a party in Santubong, near here, today.

Nancy said that parents should also talk openly with their children about the dangers and implications of driving before they reach a legal age.

"We need to talk to our children. There's got to be an effect. If we do something, there must be an effect. What effect should we have on our children", he said.

He said parents should also ensure that the vehicle cannot be taken or used arbitrarily by minors.

However, Nancy said she would have to wait for a police report and the results of an investigation before determining whether there were any negligence or other factors that could lead to action against parents.

"Each case is different. So we want to know how the case went. We can't miss what the police can do specifically", he said.

He said that if there were any evidence of negligence, appropriate action could be considered based on the outcome of an investigation by the authorities.

Yesterday, the media reported a 14-year-old boy was driving a car and involved in an accident at two different locations.